Childrens shoes...

LJM

my daughters always have clarks shoes for school as i find they fit well are comfortable and last longer, i buy them doodles for the summer for the same reasons, occassionally they will have the odd pair of shoes that arn't for playing in and also trainers i buy good fitting but generally not clarks for these

dizziblonde

My mum put me in Clarks shoes all the time as a kid, graduating into DM boots as a stroppy teen - none of these fancy girlie shoes for me... I still grew up to have dreadful problems with them - sometimes these things happen. My brother got assorted shoes from different places over the years (mainly as he mangled Clarks shoes playing football endlessly) - he's got no problems... sometimes things are destined to happen whatever you do.

End of the day - you take the choices you do being informed of the risks.

Janepig

Mine have a mix of both and personally I see no harm in it. They both have fitted shoes for school (although Clarks are pretty hopeless for DD as she has really narrow feet which Clarks don't cater for) and then they have trainers and "fashion" shoes as well - in fact DD wears her trainers to school twice a week for PE. One of DD's friends (who is nearly 7) is wearing some Bratz court shoes with a fair sized heel on at the moment and I've got to say I'd draw the line at that.

Jxx

*Louise*

I like the kids to have fitted shoes for day to day wear, but 'good' shoes just don't look right with summer clothes so they have cheaper ones for scuffing about the garden etc

We don't have many shoe shops round here which atually fit shoes properly. Clarks are a nightmare - we stand for aaages waiting to be seen, then they never have wide-fitting shoes in stock :mad: The only other plae is Brantanos, which have the clarks measuring machine, so we tend to go there.


I think the MOST important thing is, to always check the size and fit when your child puts their shoes on, whatever brand or cost of the shoes

cazscoob

Nadstar wrote: »

However, the last three pairs have gone back to the store within the week with one problem or another linked to the fitting. The store staff (In my town) are worse than useless and just shrug when you point out how badly fitted they actually were! Some of their shoes are lovely, some are just as rubbish as the ones at a fraction of the cost!

i have had this problem with Clarks too! my little boy had his feet measured and a pair fitted within 2 days he would not put the shoes on and cried, i took him to Brantanos and they were a size too small! i have continued to shop in there unless i see shoes in the clarks sale and know they are the right size.
i also have cheaper shoes fo playing in the garden as they would be ruined in a few weeks and i cannot afford £30 shoes to be ruined!

retro_bluebell

Nadstar wrote: »

I have, for the most part, bought my daughter Clarks shoes... However, the last three pairs have gone back to the store within the week with one problem or another linked to the fitting. The store staff (In my town) are worse than useless and just shrug when you point out how badly fitted they actually were! Some of their shoes are lovely, some are just as rubbish as the ones at a fraction of the cost!

Luckily, my DD adores her shoes (At 3!!!) so is quite happy traipsing about town looking for the best fitting pair!

I have found the quality of Clarks shoes nowadays to be very poor...when my older boys (12 and 10) were small a pair of Clarks would last until they outgrew them, and they always used to fit them with a view to a bit of growth. Now they scuff/ wear at the front really quickly. My daughter does not have one pair of Clarks atm basically because you cannot gt into the shop in town and the Brantanos near us have such badly trained staff you can go in one day and get a measurement and go in again a few hours later, get someone else and get a completely different size! Ive taken to measuring her myself and buying a suitable pair.
so I dont agree that Clarks are necessarily a good choice, it all depends on who fits them and if they know what they are talking about.:)

gratefulforhelp_2

Try a hush Puppy outlet shop? They are properly fitted and cost half the price of Clarks.

I think you have to be careful putting too much faith in the fitting skills of some Clarks staff. I got very worried that the fist question was always "what size is she in now" closely followed by recommending the next size up (funny that)

If they are fitting properly, they don't need to read the labels on the old shoes.

I tested this by taking them in their wellies for new shoes, and "forgetting" the last shoe size.

At least once I was recommended to buy a size down from the old shoes.

Bufger

Lalaladybird wrote: »

We bought our 2 year old a pair of peppa pig trainers today and a pair of cheap foamy sandals for playing in the garden. My MIL is horrified that they are not clarks shoes and insists she will take our dd to get clarks shoes herself because it is so important children have "decent" shoes.

I think the shoes we have bought will be fine. She's had clarks shoes all her life but they're expensive and surely these trainers are not going to do any harm.

What do you think?

I think you're the childs parent and the MIL isnt. Do what you think is best for your child!

There is no harm in off the shelf trainers as long as you still check they fit well. As for sandals, does anybody have a pair that fit comfortably?!?

Saying that, if she's willing to buy your child shoes then let her - unless shes the kind of person that will remind you of how bad a parent you are for the next 20 years because of it.

Parental judgement call - get on with it

rachfriar78

Have got to admit I buy clarks for the boys for school and their last pair of trainers were from clarks also (they are 8 and 10). Ever since they ahve walked tey have had decent shoes but also have gone for the likes of nike, rebbok etc for trainers.

spendaholiceejit

My two kids get their feet fitted every couple of months (they are young so are growing fast) and get a pair of shoes from Clarks. Those are their dressy shoes, and then I usually buy a pair of trainers for them to beat around outside in and a pair of wellies for the garden. I find when shoes get scuffed, no matter if they are Clarks, they will never polish or clean up well, and I certainly cant afford to keep forking out for 2 pairs of Clarks at a time.

Last year my mum was a bit miffed that I bought my 3 year old a pair of trainers from Next, and she took him to Clarks to get him an alternative. Fit-wise when she compared the two there was hardly any difference and she has begun to realise that shoes dont have to come from Clarkes to be of good quality.